Survive the Hunt

by Diana Duncan

  Consume her.

  As if she’d read his mind, her pupils dilated, and the pulse at her throat throbbed faster. “Last bite.” She sounded breathless again. As she fed him, his tongue swirled the sugary crumbs from her skin. When he drew her finger into his mouth and laved the tip, she gasped.

  Cradling her hand in his, he lavished attention on each finger in turn. “You taste sweeter than the candy.”

  She trembled in his grasp. “Oh, my, what talented lips you have.”

  He savored her palm. Lingered over the rapid pulse at her wrist. Nibbled the baby-fine skin of her inner arm to the bend of her elbow. “All the better to eat you up,” he growled.

  “Are you going to devour me?” she whispered.

  He slowly kissed up her inner arm to her shoulder, then nibbled her neck. “Do you want me to?”

  She moaned. “Very much.”

  He nuzzled her throat. Slammed with the primitive desire to make her his, he suckled her damp skin, drinking in her essence. He gently kneaded her breast, her nipple immediately puckering in his palm. He teased the small hard bud between his thumb and forefinger, and she moaned again as she turned toward him to rub her other breast against his chest.

  Head spinning, Aidan slid his hand through the bubbles fizzing over her belly. He hesitated before cupping her downy curls. He’d better be a damn sight less clumsy hitting the target here than firing a weapon wrong-handed. His fingertip glided over her clitoris, and she gasped, jerked back.

  He froze, concern churning his gut. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No,” she breathed. “I—I just didn’t expect everything with you to feel so ... intense.”

  Her awed surprise dumped a bucket of ice water over his head. What in sweet hell was he doing? He withdrew his hand, softly kissed her mouth. “We have to stop.”

  Her eyes darkened in distress. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “Not at all.” He could kick his own ass. Jesus, he’d sped from zero to ninety in less than three minutes.

  She worried her lower lip with even, white teeth. “You’re not enjoying yourself?”

  “Too much.” He laughed raggedly. “I’m speeding without a license.”

  “It’s just kissing. Just touching.”

  She obviously had no clue his next move would’ve been lifting her to straddle him and then thrusting into her hard and deep. “We’re naked. Isolated. There’s nothing to stop us from going too far.” He pinched the bridge of his nose—brutally—and battled overwhelming lust. Get a grip.

  She frowned. “Who says we’d go too far?”

  Fear chilled his bloodstream. He’d come way too close to savagely shattering that naiveté. “You’re so tempting. Feel so good.” He touched the small mark of possession branding her throat, shamed—and yeah—also darkly thrilled. She was his, dammit. But he was normally as controlled in the bedroom as everywhere else. He’d never even left a whisker burn on a lover. “I could easily get carried away without meaning to.”

  Her arms slid around his neck and she pressed close, rocketing his pulse into triple-time. “We’re being hunted by armed killers. We’ve encountered a grizzly, and you’ve fallen over a cliff. If ever there was a time to live in the moment ...”

  “Sweetheart.” He brushed tousled strands of hair off her forehead. “I can’t risk it. Can’t risk you.”

  “Everything good always gets snatched away.” The quaver in her voice vised his chest. She sucked in a ragged breath. “This might be our only chance to be together.”

  He inhaled slowly. Exhaled. Tough to reason with no blood circulating in his brain. He couldn’t even feel his injured shoulder anymore. “I’m not entirely in control and I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You’d never hurt me. I trust you.”

  Her faith floored and humbled him. Too bad he didn’t trust himself. “I can’t take that chance with you, Zoe. And I won’t do something we might regret when we’re thinking more clearly.”

  She turned her face away. Shaking, she swallowed hard. “God forbid we end up living with regrets.”

  His heart shattered. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

  “I’m not crying.” Clearly, she was. “I’m fine.” Obviously, she wasn’t.

  He struggled to alleviate her distress. Talk about a situation going FUBAR—and fast. “Zoe, it’s not you.”

  “Of course not.” Keeping her back to him, she scrambled out of the pool.

  Still facing away, she stood between him and the fire and wrapped her arms defensively around her middle. Gleaming with moisture, her petite body trembled in the firelight. Water droplets trailed from her slender shoulders down her spine to nestle in the small of her back. He groaned under his breath. He’d always loved the small of a woman’s back where it curved into her buttocks. So delicate. So vulnerable. You didn’t turn your back on someone unless you completely trusted them.

  He rose to his feet. Stepping out of the pool, he walked to her and pressed full length against her from behind. “Feel how much I want you?”

  “Sure, you desire me ... but ...” She gulped. “I know I don’t play in your league.”

  Her tremulous statement punched him in the gut. Well now, boyo, you’ve royally fucked this up.

  Zoe had had so little in her bleak life. He wanted nothing more than to reassure her. He knew she desired him physically. Enjoyed being with him. He didn’t know if her feelings for him were as intense as his for her. And a grubby cave in the middle of an adrenaline-spiked, life-or-death manhunt was hardly the time/place to blurt out an abrupt declaration of love, then expect her to rationally sort out her resulting emotions.

  She’d never had anyone or anything. He would not cheat her out of a courtship. He wanted to shower her with flowers. Chocolates. Jewelry. Laugh with her over favorite movies. Cook her hearty meals. Stroll with her hand-in-hand and talk about hopes and dreams.

  He wanted to show her how much he cared.

  He refused to betray her trust. He would protect her, at all costs. Even from himself.

  Still behind her, he leaned in perilously close to the tempting, forbidden fruit. “You’re wrong. I like you, sweetheart.” He pressed his cheek to hers. “A helluva lot.”

  “I ...” Her voice caught. She was trembling. “L-like you a lot, too.”

  “Good to hear. I admit, you’re not my usual type.” He stroked his thumb down the column of her smooth, slim neck as she trembled harder. “You’re special. Unique. I’ve never met anyone like you. And after this is all over, I want to keep seeing you.”

  She sniffled, laughed shakily. “You do?”

  “Damned straight I do.” He dropped a kiss on her shoulder and she quivered. “And you’re too important to me to screw this up by doing something rash and irresponsible. Understand?”

  “Mostly.” She hesitated. “We’re so different. I’m not sure I’ll ever totally understand you.” She turned in his arms. Warm, wet skin pressed to warm, wet skin. Her nipples grazed his pecs, her soft belly cradled his erection. Shit. He gritted his teeth. He’d damned well better qualify for sainthood after this.

  “I’m all about seizing the moment before it disappears forever, while you’re big on forward vision,” she said. “We’re gonna have an interesting relationship.”

  “Living in the moment is terrific. Living dangerously, not so much. We don’t have any protection with us. Unless you carry condoms in that magic bag.”

  She blinked. “Oh. Oh, hell. I didn’t even— Aidan, I didn’t mean to— I’m sorry, I totally lost my head. I didn’t mean to be irresponsible.” Her dark lashes were dewed, those beautiful, expressive eyes heartbreakingly sad. “But before you, nobody’s ever seen the real me, you know? You look at me, you see me ... and you make me feel wanted.”

  Annnd—he was cooked.

  He lowered himself to the canvas tarp, tugging her down to sit on his lap facing him. The position brought them into carnally intimate contact. He cupped her bottom, her satiny stomach rubbing again
st his sensitized dick. A guttural sound tore out of him. “I want you every minute we’re together. So much, I’m insane with it.” He captured her mouth, his tongue thrusting in rhythm with his hips.

  Purring low in her throat, she leaned in, inviting him deeper into her mouth. But with only his good arm around her, he couldn’t balance and they toppled backward onto the tarp.

  Gasping, she broke the kiss. “Did I bump your arm?”

  Not enough pain in the universe to squelch his desire for her. “No,” he lied. “Did I hurt the cut on your lip?”

  “Not a bit.” Her fingers threaded into his hair, soft palms cradling his face as if he were her most cherished possession. “Aidan,” she murmured against his mouth. “I want you so much. I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything.”

  Their breaths mingled, hot and damp. He wasn’t sure who moved first—maybe they both did. Their mouths met and her hot, silky tongue mated with his.

  She sparkled with life. Filled him with hope. She tasted like caramel and warm, willing ... Zoe.

  Tasted like his radiant, shimmering future.

  He ached to give her what she wanted, needed. But he would not do anything to jeopardize her. Refused to gamble with her future.

  He slid his leg between hers and flexed his thigh against her soft, moist center. Moaning into his mouth, she arched into him.

  His Zoe was a lit firecracker, all bright sizzle and hot sparks, and he reveled in her glow. He’d never had a woman respond with such fervor. Her questing hands and eager mouth explored, tasted. She stroked and tickled, licked and kissed. Her rapid, heated breaths rasped erotically in his ear.

  Exhilarated by the electric storm, he increased the pace. Slick, damp skin glided sensually over slick, damp skin. “You feel so good, sweetheart.”

  “Mmm. So do you.” She wriggled against him. “And you smell delicious.” She rained kisses on his face. I love the way you kiss me. The way you touch me.”

  His previous lovers had been quiet and contained. But Zoe sighed when he kissed her, moaned when he caressed her. Purred when he stroked her. She whispered secret thoughts and intimate feelings in his ear.

  And he loved it.

  Loved her.

  So much it made his chest ache.

  Her husky voice, her breathless praise was fiercely arousing. What she lacked in experience, she more than made up for with passionate enthusiasm. He was being ridden by a sensual whirlwind.

  Christ, he wasn’t even inside her, and he’d never been more turned on. Never been more aware of, more in tune with his partner. Physically and emotionally.

  Her tantalizing nipples teased his chest and he groaned. “Never been this hot.”

  “Me ... either.” She rocked against him, quivering in his embrace. Her spine arched, her body drew taut. “I think ... oh!”

  He slid his tongue into her ear. Breathed in, washing her with cool air, then out, following with warmth. “That’s it, honey. Go over for me.”

  She shuddered, a bowstring vibrating on the edge of release. “Yes, Aidan,” she panted. “If you will ... for me.”

  Planning on satisfying only her, he clung to his slipping control while their fiery friction hurtled him closer and closer towards paradise. He clenched his jaw as his climax gathered, hovered on the brink.

  Nearly to the breaking point.

  Zoe was about to push him over the edge of the world.

  He didn’t care.

  “Now!” he growled. “Now, Zoe!”

  Shaking uncontrollably, she cried out his name. Her teeth nipped his shoulder, and hot, sparkling pleasure exploded inside him, poured out of him.

  He let go and fell willingly, joyfully into the void.

  Love surged up to meet him. Love buoyed him, filled the emptiness. Surrounded him in warmth and light.

  He held Zoe tight and gloried in the rush.

  As she went limp on top of him, he rubbed her back while their breathing slowed. She lived inside his heart now, and he would never let her go.

  Long, contented moments drifted past.

  Zoe sighed happily. “Aidan?” She pushed up to look at him. Her eyes glowed, her cheeks were flushed pink, her shapely red lips plump from his kisses. “New research topic. How many ways can we do this without actually doing it?”

  Heartfelt laughter rumbled out of him. His irrepressible reporter was one in a billion. He was the luckiest man alive. “Can’t wait to help advance your research.” He trailed a fingertip down her pert nose. “Right now, we need to rest. Morning is close.”

  And a guy could only push his tattered self-control so far.

  “Damn.” She snuggled into him, planting kisses over his chest. “I suppose you’re right.” Suddenly, she gasped, and her horrified eyes met his. “Oh no!”

  His stomach lurched. Even consumed by passion, he’d struggled to ensure she was protected, that he didn’t go too far. He did a fast, mental body check. Nothing seemed wrong but then again, he’d lost his damned mind there at the end. “What’s the matter?”

  Gently touching his good shoulder, she gulped, perilously close to tears once more. “I bit you. I’m so sorry.”

  He glanced down at the rosy teeth marks. “Didn’t even break the skin.”

  “But it’s ... I’m ... I’m not that uncivilized.”

  Aidan chuckled. Yeah, in bed, she was a wildcat. And he loved it. Before her, sex had been as tame and bland as the rest of his life. Merely scratching an itch. He hadn’t known what he was missing. “That sexy little nip hurtled me into paradise.” He stroked her tousled hair. “You’re exactly what I want. Exactly what I need.”

  Her breath caught. “You mean that?”

  “Every word.”

  After rinsing off in the warm pool, they snuggled on the tarp. He put her nearest the fire, spooning her from behind. Listening to her slow, even breaths, he fell asleep.

  In his dreams, the night whirled with cold terror. He heard rapid-fire gunshots. Saw Zoe’s sightless death stare.

  “Zoe!” Shouting her name, he startled awake from the familiar horrifying nightmare.

  She turned in his arms. Sleepy hazel eyes opened, smudged with concern. “Shh. It’s all right. I’m right here.”

  He remembered the soul-deep agony of losing Pop. The bleak, empty hole in his heart that wouldn’t heal. The icy pain that never quite disappeared. Sweating, trembling, he gathered her close and kissed her forehead. Her warmth surrounded him. Her inner light shone behind her mesmerizing hazel eyes and banished the aching emptiness.

  His throat closed up. He wouldn’t let anyone or anything take her from him.

  “Aidan?” She stroked his cheek. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” He glanced at his combat watch. The sun would be up. The UNSUBS had taken her car, but not his—as far as he knew. Did his brothers think he’d gone home with her for the night, and not realize they’d disappeared? Hell, none of the O’Rourkes were blind, they would’ve seen the heat arcing between him and Zoe. All three bros had busted Aidan’s balls over her “devotion” for months. But his brothers knew his habits, understood his need for control. They’d question him leaving his car at the reception, unable to return to his own place after being with a woman.

  What were the odds for rescue? He couldn’t gamble their lives on it.

  As they rose and prepared to leave the cave, he prepared to do whatever was necessary to get Zoe off this damned island.

  Chapter 14

  6:00 a.m.

  Zoe had slept less than two hours, but vitality sparkled inside her while she followed Aidan through the narrow rock passage. She didn’t even need the flare he was using to light their way—she glowed from the inside out.

  Physically and emotionally bonding with him had gifted her with the connection she’d craved all her life. She mentally hugged his promises to her heart. He’d said she was unique. Very important to him. He wanted to continue seeing her! Aidan didn’t offer his loyalty easily or lightly. Once given, nothing short of
death would make him rescind his word.

  For the first time ever, she had a future to anticipate. For the first time ever, she was genuinely happy.

  For the first time ever, she belonged.

  She fit with him, as she’d never fit with anyone. Many torturous paths over long, lonely years had led her to the one man who would safely hold her heart in his hands. All this time, she’d searched for a home.

  Home wasn’t a place, but a person.

  Aidan.

  At the height of their pleasure, she’d smothered a hazardous declaration of love that could’ve killed their fledgling bond before it had a chance to grow. Strong emotions strained his comfort zone, and a smart woman would allow him to adjust to their new closeness before putting the big whammy on him. The last thing she wanted was to scare him into backing off.

  But her feelings shone inside her, glittery and warm as newly-minted coins. She loved him ... body, heart, and soul. Given enough time, he just might love her back.

  For the first time ever, her tomorrows beckoned with possibilities.

  All she had to do was live long enough to get off this freaking island. And dammit, she would. Life had taught her to improvise.

  They were again dressed in dry clothing. She in the tux shirt and high-heeled sandals, Aidan in dress slacks and shoes, his arm in the makeshift sling. After a breakfast of her last box of Cracker Jack and hideous hot mineral water, he’d discovered a second passage at the rear of the cave. They had nothing to lose by exploring.

  She stubbed her toe on a protruding rock, but his strong hand steadied her. “Ow! See daylight yet, SWAT?”

  “No, but the sand is compacted, which indicates a traveled path. Back in the day, pirates and smugglers used these caves.” His fingers squeezed hers. “Doing okay?”

  “Better than okay.” She no longer cared about the claustrophobic darkness that threatened their small, brave flare. She’d follow her cop into the black bowels of Hades.

  As it turned out, she didn’t have to. Right before the last flare sputtered out, the passage opened onto a wide beach. Sunrise gilded the horizon pink and gold right above where foamy green waves kissed the shoreline.